Success at cross country event

Banchory Stonehaven Athletics Club recently held their Cross Country running Championships at Mulloch Wood.

The event brought to an end a very successful winter season of competition and training, both in Cross Country, and indoors on the track.

There was a great turnout of athletes, 50% higher than the inaugural event last year, and especially in the younger age groups.

Cara Davie (U11G), Kate Hare (U13G), Clare Stewart (U15G), Matthew Paterson (U15B), Jennie Glass (U17W) and Cameron Baird (U17M) were all winners and it was a great morning out in perfect, hilly conditions.

Athletes have also competed in the Run4it Cross Country Series, with U11 Emma Swanson winning the overall series in her age group.

Claire McGarvey and Frances Sealy (U15G) both completed the series coming a respective 2nd and 4th overall in the U15 girls. Findlay Rhind was overall 5th place in U13 boys, and Ben Taylor 3rd overall U15B. All athletes are to be congratulated for taking part in a very competitive series.

The club also competed in the National East District Championships, and the National XC Championships at Falkirk, where Clare Stewart (U15G) came an excellent 7th place and the team of U15 girls a very creditable 10th place.

A little farther afield, the club was delighted to hear of the success of member Rhona Auckland, who, in addition to winning the European U23 Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria in December 2014, then went on to be selected for Team GB in the World Cross Country Championships in China, where she came a very creditable 19th place, and was the second highest placed GB athlete.

A little warmer, indoors on the track, Kathryn Christie was selected to run the 60m for the Scotland Team at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match in January.

A number of athletes competed in National Age Group and Schools Championships.

Alisha Rees became the National U17 6om and 200m Champion, as well as breaking the U17 Indoor 200m National Record of 24.81which had stood for 32 years with a time of 24.78. She subsequently went on to break this record twice at the England Age groups in Sheffield in March, with times of 24.62 and 24.53, winning a silver medal.

There were also Scottish Age Group medals for Kelsey Stewart (gold) and Daniel Rees (bronze) in the U20 400m and a fine 4th placing for Rosa Hare in the u17 High Jump with a new PB of 1.55m.

Well done also to Hamish Leeson, Ruby Leeson, Charlie Beeson, Maddie Furnival, Eve Sealy, Polly Christie and Craig Strachan who competed in these Age Group Championships. Now the Summer season is upon us, and athletes are looking forward to another successful season of competition ahead, with the Petrofac League, Youth Development League, and a host of other athletics events on offer. www.scottishathletics.org.uk www.bsac.club